LetterOne is delighted to announce the appointment of Sir Brandon Lewis as the leader of the Chair’s Advisory Council.
Brandon has been the Member of Parliament for Great Yarmouth since 2010.
He has served as a Government Minister under four Prime Ministers, most recently as the Secretary of State for Justice and as Lord High Chancellor.
Brandon has held a number of critical government positions including Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; Minister of State for Security; Minister of State for Housing; Minister of State for Policing; and as Chairman of the Conservative Party.
Brandon’s deep expertise will strengthen LetterOne’s commitment to protect the 120,000 jobs that rely on LetterOne’s investment and to build businesses that matter to economies across the UK, Europe and the US. This appointment builds on the decisive changes made in March 2022 following Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine: the firm’s principal shareholders have resigned all positions, and no longer have any control or influence on LetterOne and no dividends, if any are due, will be paid to them.
LetterOne Chairman Mervyn Davies added:
“The appointment of Brandon Lewis builds on the decisive changes we have been making following Russia's illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.
“Brandon Lewis brings a wealth of experience to LetterOne and I am delighted to welcome him to our organisation.
“LetterOne continues to create and sustain more than 100,000 jobs in over 40 businesses across the UK, EU and US; and today’s announcement follows the swift, robust and decisive action we undertook to distance LetterOne from its sanctioned shareholders.
“They have no role in the business or decision-making processes of LetterOne; no access to premises, infrastructure, people, funds or benefits of any description; and no dividends or other distributions will be paid to them.
“This appointment continues to demonstrate the success of the new model that we have laid out that is wholly independent of our founders."
LetterOne Chief Executive Jonathan Muir said:
“Brandon’s deep experience across multiple sectors will add significant expertise to LetterOne’s capabilities as we continue to establish ourselves as an independent business focused on delivering sustained economic and social impact.
“Brandon will continue to strengthen the new direction undertaken by LetterOne. The business is wholly separate of its founders and has exited all Russian assets following Putin’s terrible and unacceptable war against Ukraine.
“LetterOne is deeply committed to the UK and EU as a responsible and long-term investor and I look forward to calling on Brandon’s years of experience and wisdom to help us become an even better organisation.”
Sir Brandon Lewis said:
“I am delighted to be joining LetterOne to lead the Chair’s Advisory Council.
LetterOne has travelled a huge distance since Putin’s abhorrent invasion of Ukraine. It is now wholly separate from its sanctioned founders and focused on investments that are vital for society, as well as being one of the biggest corporate donors of aid to Ukraine.
I hope I will be able to contribute to their continued commitment to outstanding governance which will establish LetterOne as a strengthened, independent business with a sustainable approach to growth, impact investing and building businesses that matter.”
LetterOne is an established, successful investor in critical sectors in Europe and other regions. It brings a long-term perspective to investment decisions and supports a workforce of over 100,000 employees in businesses including Holland & Barrett in the UK, Dia in Spain, Remedica in Cyprus and Destination Pet in the US.
LetterOne has allocated more than £45 million to support those affected by the illegal war in Ukraine. Under this programme the company has committed donations to World Vision, ICMEC, UNICEF, UNHCR, Direct Relief, LUkraine and IsraAID, and other programmes focused on providing assistance to Ukrainians affected by the war.